Comment les introvertis peuvent-ils maîtriser efficacement l’art du réseautage ?

I struggle with networking (particularly unstrucutured open networking). A way i deal with it is a few days before, hop on the event hashtag (if there is one) or search for people talking about the event on socials and see if I can comment with a "I'm going too - see you there" type comment. You then have a conversation starter when you get there "I recognise you from.....". If no one is talking about the event on socials, start the conversation - see if you can get people talking to you in advance.

Upon entering the room, find others who have not yet joined a conversation group and engage them. Typically, it's easier to do this than to try to break into a group, which can be daunting.

Choose the Right Events: Pick smaller, more intimate gatherings where you can engage in meaningful conversations. Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve from each networking opportunity to give yourself a purpose. Prepare Ahead: Research attendees or topics beforehand to feel more confident and have conversation starters. Listen Actively: Introverts often excel at listening, so use this skill to engage others and learn. Look for shared interests or experiences to connect with others authentically. Take Breaks: Give yourself permission to step away when needed to recharge and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Follow Up: After the event, nurture relationships by sending personalized follow-up messages or scheduling one-on-one meetings.

We have a saying in our rather hardcore networking group ‘act like a host, not a visitor’. A small example might be ‘can I get you a coffee’ and questions like ‘who are you hoping to meet’. So basically being a facilitator rather than a wallflower. I find this less awkward than standing around looking for someone who might talk to you.

Find someone else to go with, that way, you will have someone you feel familiar with and comfortable with. They can also help with the conversations and introductions.

Introverts are often good in one-on-one conversations, deep listening and building meaningful connections. Instead of aiming to meet a large group of people, one should focus on establishing quality connections that align with your goals.

Nature of my job requires me to to meet different stakeholders in different capacity but this clashes with my main personality which inclines towards introverts. Having said that, of course one has to go beyond who they think they are and in this context of networking, I pay good attention to the quality. Meaning, I take time to notice people, their content, they line of thinking, their ways of working, their work history, they conversation content in discussion and etc. If this all aligns with my area of interest, I take note of that person and find ways to contact them virtually if I miss in-person networking opportunity with them for number of reasons. LinkedIn has been great tool for this.

As an introvert, I've found these strategies to be effective: 1. Embrace Growth: Step out of your comfort zone, accept the need for change, learn communication skills—both verbal and non-verbal—and embrace discomfort. 2. Leverage Expertise: Become an expert in a field. It raises confidence and attracts networking opportunities. 3. Clear Objectives: Identify your goals beforehand to make interactions more fruitful. 4. Flexibility: Adapt to different networking situations and be open to new opportunities and connections. 5. Reciprocity: Offer value in return for what you seek; it builds mutually beneficial relationships and fosters trust. 6. Authenticity: Stay true to yourself while pushing boundaries; genuine connections are lasting.

With more than a decade of experience in networking as an introvert, I learnt this truth the hard way. Today, I focus on finding 5 persons that I can connect with at a deeper level. But the unspoken part of this strategy is to have a way to leave an unproductive conversation quickly and gracefully. Say you are chatting with (A). Here's how you do it: 1. "It has been nice chatting with you, I need to go to the restroom for a minute." 2. You see someone you know and tell (A) that you need to say hi to your friend. 3. Get a refill of your drink. 4. You see someone you know who is extroverted and you introduce (A) this person. It works!

I am the owner and developer of One Card, the digital business card that allows seamless networking. The integrations with CRM allow the card to act as a trigger. When people leave their details it automates the follow up via SMS and email over a period of weeks to ensure the person you meet networking clearly remembers who you are. This is all configurable and takes people from first contact through to sales and beyond.

This is an easy one. I’ve started using a great tool to make it easy for people to refer me. A friend of mine George McGilivray, sells the service which is an interactive video called Leadchest that lets me have a URL my connections. A share with others, it has a short video from me with an interactive button to let them find out more. This has proved really useful in making it easy for people to introduce me to others.

Digital tools are a great way to catch and generate leads, initiate contact, and set up meetings and engagements. Too much emphasis is still placed on door-to-door cold calls in a world where everyone seems more connected through technology. It's also much easier to reach larger audiences in places you'd never be otherwise with digital tools. Work smarter, not harder.

I totally agree with this. If you want to work with someone then find them on LinkedIn and if they post then comment on their posts before trying to connect. The most important thing is to comment in a way that encourages them to reply so that you can get into a conversation.

Start with the event & ticketing pages! - See who may be attending - Look them up and find commonalities - Maybe even connect / interact with their social channels ahead of the event Look out for an event hashtag like #NLCNN (Network Learn Connect Northampton) and engage on the posts about the event, so that others may recognise you better and make conversations flow easier. ALso make notes - use your phone to remind yourself who is who and don't be afraid to refer back to socials to see things about those who are attending - it's good for everyone to be prepared and knowledgable. BUT - don't put too much pressure on yourself either!!

I've told my clients for years allow your passions to fuel your prospecting. Love to ride Mt bikes? Great setup a booth at an event and meet some of your fellow riders. Big fan of the opera? Wonderful. Volunteer to be on their board of directors. When you turn the idea of networking from "what can I get" to "what can I give" it puts you in a place to generally want to serve others. Once you reach that, you can network with anyone, anytime, regardless of where you are.

Nobody connects with names and job titles, but that’s how the vast majority of people introduce themselves around the world. What if you stood out, at Circle Networks we get people to start by telling us what they do when they’re not working. We get to know the person first, before we talk business.

Networking doesn't only mean big business events and mixers full of swapping business cards. Do something you like and make an effort to get to know those in the group. It can be a hiking club, an ongoing cooking class, a pilates membership. You never know who those people know! And yes, you still might have to get a *little* uncomfortable and say "hello" to someone, but at least it's someone you'll see again the next week and can build a relationship with- not just a card trade and poof they're gone!

As an extroverted introvert, I naturally shy away from traditional networking events. Tapping into personal interests allows me to engage in 1-to-1 connections. I have also found success in connecting directly with people I want to know more professionally. Going for coffee and scheduling a 30-minute Zoom chat work wonderfully for me.

Business transactions often occur between individuals whom they are familiar with, have positive feelings toward, and trust. When you bond over shared passions, the transition to discussing professional interests becomes seamless. You’ll find yourself swapping business cards while chatting about your favorite movies, books, or comparing hiking trails. These organic connections can lead to unexpected collaborations and exciting opportunities. Absolutely, embrace your interests and let networking happen naturally!

Good active listening also includes: 1. Listening for key words that they use. When they are don’t talking you can mention that key term to let them know you are paying attention Ex: if someone is telling you a story about them having a “hard day” you don’t have to repeat the entire story you can just say “bad day?”. This shows you were listening and lets them expand. 2. Use good body language. Lean in, nod your head, and use affirmative statements: “uh huh”, “okay, etc

In my experience, one should always ask questions of the other person first, before “showing up and throwing up” all that they do and what they think they’re good at in the beginning. And by using the acronym F.O.R.M., you can guide your questioning to more efficiently find common ground on which the foundation of a great relationship can be built!

For me less is more in a networking situation and when I listen deeply I discover that the connection is with those I speak to much deeper and it builds and nurtured a relationship much more easily.

It goes back to the old saying” people don’t care how much you know until how much YOU care” That’s why you have two ears and one mouth listen twice as much as you speak !

People often make the mistake of talking about themselves and what they do, or can offer - but as my mum used to say; 'You have two ears, one mouth - use them in those proportions!' Meaning listen more than you talk, but of course share about yourself too! Asking questions is a superpower! This allows you to not feel like you need to talk so much. And also reveals more about those around you allowing you to work out who you want to get to know better & maybe who you want to avoid too!

Networking events and social gatherings tend to be quite draining for introverts, given the constant interaction and socializing involved. That's why it's crucial for introverts to approach these scenarios with a full battery, metaphorically speaking. Engaging in activities like meditation or spending some time alone beforehand can help replenish their energy reserves. Additionally, setting boundaries and allowing themselves breaks during these events can prevent burnout. By ensuring they're mentally prepared and conserving their energy, introverts can navigate networking situations with more confidence and effectiveness.

Introverts can actually be better networkers than extroverts because they are more thoughtful and better listeners (in general). The problem they face is getting over their own discomfort to actually attend networking events. 3 things can help: 1-arrive early: when you arrive late, many conversations are happening already and it is easier to start a conversation when you are there early, before that happens and before everyone arrives. 2-bring a wingman: having a friend with you helps but make an agreement with that friend that you both must meet other people. 3-just do it. Remember this quote: “There is no growth without discomfort.” -Abhijit Naskar

In the old days, we used to write on the business card. These days people have these bots on Zoom that take notes. Either way, get a good CRM system and use it, it's only as good as the data you put in and nothing says 'Wow, this guy really paid attention to me' more than being about to ask how the holiday went, etc.

I wonder if we really mean “introvert” or “shy”? I think very few people are really introverts but many of us are a bit shy. The aspect of my work that is least natural to me is going into a room full of strangers where I have to represent our university. I have learnt to do this by finding someone else who looks ill at ease, smiling at them and asking why they are there. Once you’ve got that far the ice is generally broken and often others join in the conversation. Once that is achieved then genuinely listening and responding and building a mutual empathy soon happens (with the right people. If it doesn’t happen then maybe they’re better off not being part of your network).

Introversion does not mean we dislike people or are not great at connecting - it means we derive most of our joy, peace and energy from our inner world versus the external world. We tend to value depth and intimacy in relationships. Why is this important? Because our ability to create deep, meaningful, curiosity-based interactions and relationships IS our superpower. So the question is moreso... Who would you like to invest energy into as an introvert?

Participating in business mixers and networking meetings can be challenging for introverts. However, the support of an experienced networker can help. Invite a partner you know to collaborate with, and together you will build a network of contacts and open doors to further business relationships. Mutual introductions and recommendations at the meeting are a natural way to showcase your skills and increase your credibility. Your partner will "advertise" your experience, take the first step towards building a relationship, and make it easier for you to start a conversation. Then it's much easier, especially since a good networker lets others talk and listens attentively himself/herself...

Entering networking environments with a healthy awareness of your own (and your organisation’s) value, achievements and relationship potential for new networking peers is also important - the most productive and lasting professional relationships are genuine exchanges of perspective, connection and opportunity…

For introverts, networking doesn’t have to feel like diving into a sea of strangers. Instead of trying to be the life of the party, introverts can shine by focusing on making genuine connections, one person at a time. They can skip the big, noisy gatherings and opt for smaller, more intimate settings where they feel comfortable. Before going, they can do a little homework on who they'll meet, so they have some talking points ready. And afterward, they can follow up with a friendly email or message to keep the conversation going. By staying true to themselves and taking it slow, introverts can turn networking into a more manageable and meaningful experience.